It was a sigh of relief for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, the home town of the current governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom, when the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2023 Governorship Candidate, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, assured the IDPs that if elected, he would return them back home.

The IDPs were very excited on hearing that they would go back home if Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia is elected as the next governor of Benue State in 2023, as he assured them that as a man of God who is passionate about the safety and welfare of people and with his wealth of experience both as a Catholic Priest and Administrator for over 30 years, he would embrace all hands and do everything within his power to ensure that they are able to return to their respective homes and help rebuild their lives. He also said that he will work with the international community to make sure that all IDPs are able to return home safely and reintegrate back into society.

As Fr. Alia decried the living conditions of the people and those at IDP camps, he assured them that if elected as the next governor of Benue State, he would see to their return to their respective homes or communities.

“The situation here is terrible, with so many people displaced from their homes and living in camps.” But amidst all the darkness, there is still hope, “he said on Sunday, October 30, 2022, while addressing a mammoth crowd near the IDP camps at RCM Primary School, Daudu, shortly after a thanksgiving service organized by Ihyarev people to celebrate his emergence as the governorship candidate of the APC ahead of the 2023 elections.

“It will be my duty as your next governor to protect you,” he added.

I will make sure that you are safe and secure; I will make sure that you are not hungry; I will make sure that you are not homeless; and finally, I will also ensure that there is no unemployment in your community and all working adults have jobs so as to reduce the poverty rate among IDPs and the people of the zone, which is one of our top campaign priorities.

The event, which was held during a service at NKST Church in Daudu, also saw the pastors of the church give their blessings to the governorship candidate and other APC candidates from Guma, Makurdi, and Gwer-West Local Government Areas, which comprise the Ihyarev axis in the state’s Zone B Senatorial District.

At the reception, Fr. Hyacinth Alia reiterated that: “If I am elected governor in 2023, I will make sure that everyone who has been displaced is returned home so they may resume farming activities or whatever they do best.”

“I felt those in power did not have the interests of our people at heart, but I have been given another opportunity by God and with your prayers. “If elected governor, I will bring you back to your communities.” Fr. Alia stated

The cleric disclosed that it was this realization to come to the aid of the suffering masses of Benue State that made him take a short break away from the pulpit, coupled with pressure from various concerned friends and well-meaning Benue people who believe he can make Benue great again.

He said, “The reason why I joined politics is because I knew that if God had sent me here for a purpose, then I must fulfill it.” “For me, the most important thing in life is service to humanity.”

He added: “I had always told my people that there is no power greater than God.” “After all these years of struggle at the hands of politicians, I know how serious the Benue people are about their own freedom and development.”

The Campaign Director General (CDG), Rev. Pastor Fredrick Ikyaan, also assured the IDPs and the people of Ihyarav that Fr. Alia is a man of his words who does not say what he does not mean.

In conclusion, we wish to state that the people of Benue State are not in need of a governor who will only cater to his own personal interests but need someone who will take good care of them.

This is why we have gathered here today and called on you all to ensure that Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia is victorious at the next election because he knows what is best for us, our children, and the next generation. The DG concluded.